Celtics stay alive, beat Knicks to force Game 6

Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green (8) collides with New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) in the first half of Game 5 of their first-round NBA basketball playoff series at Madison Square Garden in New York, Wednesday, May 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green (8) collides with New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler (6) in the first half of Game 5 of their first-round NBA basketball playoff series at Madison Square Garden in New York, Wednesday, May 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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New York Knicks guard Jason Kidd (5) defends against a shot by Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green (8) in the first half of Game 5 of their first-round NBA basketball playoff series at Madison Square Garden in New York, Wednesday, May 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)— AP

New York Knicks guard Jason Kidd (5) defends against a shot by Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green (8) in the first half of Game 5 of their first-round NBA basketball playoff series at Madison Square Garden in New York, Wednesday, May 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) dunks in the first half of Game 5 of their first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden in New York, Wednesday, May 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)— AP

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) dunks in the first half of Game 5 of their first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden in New York, Wednesday, May 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) is surrounded by Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett (5), forward Jeff Green (8) and forward Paul Pierce (34) in the first half of Game 5 of their first-round NBA basketball playoff series at Madison Square Garden in New York, Wednesday, May 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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NEW YORK 
The 11-0 deficit in Game 5 was wiped away. The 3-0 deficit in the series might be next.

The Boston Celtics are two victories from NBA history, and from extending the Knicks' postseason futility in a most improbable manner.

Kevin Garnett had 16 points and 18 rebounds and the Celtics stayed alive in the playoffs, cutting New York's lead to 3-2 with a 92-86 victory Wednesday night.

The Celtics will host Game 6 on Friday night, needing two wins to become the first NBA team to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a series.

"Our mentality has been like a Game 7 mentality. It's an all-out mentality. One that is no tomorrow. Period. Point blank," Garnett said. "We put ourselves in this 3-0 position and now we're just trying to fight our way out of it."

Brandon Bass added 17 points, steadying Boston as it shook off an 11-0 deficit and pulled away in the second half to stop the Knicks again from achieving their first playoff series victory since 2000.

"That shows you how resilient we are. Down 11-0, it could have been easy to say, `All right fellas, hey, we made a great effort but it just wasn't good enough,'" reserve Jason Terry said. "We know we're just starting to jell as a team and injuries have plagued us all season long, but in this series it's all about heart, who is willing to go out there every night, every possession and leave it all out there. If that's not good enough, then we'll be going home."

J.R. Smith, back from his one-game suspension for elbowing Terry with the Knicks way ahead late in Game 3, missed his first 10 shots and finished 3 of 14 for 14 points.

Jeff Green scored 18 points and Paul Pierce had 16 as he and Garnett, the two franchise stalwarts, extended this season - and perhaps their Celtics careers - at least one more game.

"Obviously being down 2-0 or 3-0 or whatever it was, we could have folded shop. Nobody in here is going to quit," said Terry, who scored 17.

Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points but was just 8 of 24 in another dismal shooting night for the Knicks, who blew a big lead in this game and now the series. They face an unwanted trip back to Boston instead of the rest this aging roster could surely use before the second round.

If they get there.

"I think we're fine," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. "Sure we would've loved to close it out and move on, but nobody said it would be easy."

The Knicks would host Game 7 on Sunday.

"I told you from Game 1 that this wasn't going to be a breeze, it wasn't going to be a walk in the park, them guys were going to fight and they're showing some fight right now," Anthony said. "They threw a couple punches at us now and it's time for us to do the same."